Planning Manager

ALEMCO; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

ALEC Holdings PJSC, a leading GCC construction group, is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead planning and scheduling for complex MEP works in the UAE. You will ensure programme integrity, align with contractual milestones, and support delivery across design, procurement, and construction.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, you will mentor planning engineers, drive recovery actions, manage delays and EOTs, and provide detailed progress reports to senior management and clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in planning, scheduling, and project controls.
• Engineering or Construction Management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary planning teams on large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and optimize the master programme using Primavera P6.
• Lead planning strategy and client progress meetings.
• Prepare resource- and cost-loaded schedules, KPI dashboards, and cash flow forecasts.
• Monitor progress and identify delays with recovery actions.
• Mentor planning engineers and ensure standardized reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project controls

Decision making

Education

Engineering degree

Construction Management

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Office

Power BI

BIM

Job description

Are you an experienced Planning Manager with a strong background in MEP project planning, scheduling, and project controls?

We are looking for a results-driven Planning Manager to lead planning and scheduling activities across complex MEP works, ensuring effective programme management, performance monitoring, and timely delivery of key milestones.

Who We are?

ALEC Holdings PJSC, part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), is a leading GCC construction group with over two decades of success delivering some of the region’s most complex and high-profile projects. As a proudly publicly listed company, ALEC continues to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and excellence in construction, driving iconic developments that shape skylines across the Middle East.

In the UAE, ALEC has delivered many of the nation’s most iconic developments, operating as a fully integrated contractor through specialist business units that provide end-to-end construction solutions.

ALEMCO provides integrated MEP and facilities services that power some of the region’s most ambitious developments. From electrical systems to long-term maintenance, we focus on technical reliability and sustainable performance - supported by an inclusive and skilled team with a passion for engineering excellence.

Why Join Us?

As a Planning Manager, you'll play a key role in managing the planning and scheduling functions of a landmark project, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations, project milestones, and overall delivery objectives.

You'll work closely with project leadership, commercial teams, and key stakeholders to drive effective planning strategies, monitor project performance, identify potential delays, and implement recovery measures.

At ALEC, we’re about more than just building iconic structures - we’re about building exceptional careers. As a trusted partner to some of the region’s most ambitious projects, we value innovation, operational excellence, and our people. Join us to deliver talent acquisition initiatives that directly shape our business success, from sourcing candidates to enhancing candidate experiences.

About Your Team

Reporting directly to the Senior Project Manager, with a functional reporting line to the Senior Planning Manager, you will lead and mentor a team of Lead Planning Engineers, Senior Planning Engineers, and Planning Engineers.

You'll collaborate closely with engineering, procurement, construction, commercial, and project management teams to ensure effective programme integration and delivery.

Your Role

As a Planning Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Developing, maintaining, and optimising the Clause 14 master programme using Primavera P6, covering design, mobilisation, engineering, procurement, construction, and Testing & Commissioning activities.
• Managing project phasing plans, construction sequencing, contractual milestones, resource loading, procurement interfaces, and associated programme risks.
• Leading the preparation of detailed resource- and cost-loaded schedules, S-curves, KPI dashboards, and project cash flow forecasts.
• Monitoring project progress across engineering, procurement, and construction activities, identifying schedule variances and recommending corrective or recovery actions.
• Leading planning strategy workshops and attending client progress meetings, providing accurate programme updates and schedule analysis.
• Managing delay analysis, time impact assessments, change management, and Extension of Time (EOT) claims, supported by detailed documentation.
• Overseeing the preparation of weekly and monthly progress reports, executive presentations, and project performance dashboards.
• Leading the development of short-term look-ahead programmes, including 2-week, 4-week, and 3-month schedules.
• Monitoring engineering submissions, procurement activities, long-lead materials, and construction progress to identify potential risks and delays.
• Coordinating with project teams, subcontractors, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with contractual milestones and programme requirements.
• Working closely with commercial and cost control teams to align project budgets, cost forecasts, and schedule performance.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing planning engineers, ensuring consistent planning methodologies, reporting standards, and analytical practices.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in project planning, scheduling, and project controls within construction or related engineering projects.
• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Proven experience managing planning functions and multidisciplinary planning teams on large-scale, complex projects.
• Strong experience developing and managing master programmes, resource-loaded schedules, and project recovery plans.
• Demonstrated expertise in delay analysis, time impact assessments, and preparation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims with supporting documentation.
• Experience coordinating with clients, main contractors, consultants, and project stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 for programme development, scheduling, monitoring, and control.
• Strong understanding of critical path analysis, project sequencing, resource loading, and cost-loaded schedules.
• Experience preparing S-curves, KPI dashboards, progress reports, and cash flow forecasts.
• Advanced working knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI.
• Strong knowledge of project performance monitoring, schedule risk identification, and recovery planning.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contracts and other international contract formats is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) and BIM-based planning tools is desirable.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under tight project deadlines.
• Proactive approach to identifying risks, resolving planning challenges, and driving project performance.
• Strong reporting and presentation skills, including communication with senior management and clients.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to play a key role in delivering one of the UAE's landmark projects.
• A collaborative environment working alongside experienced project and technical teams.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career progression within ALEC.
• A culture that values accountability, innovation, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're an experienced Planning Manager with strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a proven track record in managing complex construction programmes, we'd love to hear from you.

Join ALEC and play a key role in driving successful project delivery.

Apply today and be part of something excellent!

Please apply as soon as possible, as this advert may close once we have identified the right candidate. Although we may not be able to respond to every application, we appreciate your interest in building a future with us.